6 September 2013

Hello All

Despite a bit of rain this morning there has still been plenty going on at Rye Meads.

The HMWT have bought their 4 Konick horses (The Konick horse originates from Poland and are an old breed which can be seen in some of their markings ie dun coat and dorsal stripe.) back to the meadow where they have joined the 11 adult and 3 baby water buffalo. The konicks have been spending some time grazing a meadow near the HMWT Amwell nature reserve.

Sorry about the quality of this photo, when i nipped out to take it they were all right over the back of the meadow, so a lot of zoom was required.

I have been keeping an eye out of my window today as yesterday late afternoon there was a female redstart hoping around the picnic area and i keep hoping she is still about. But while looking for her there has been plenty of other bird activity around the visitor centre with finch and tit flocks along with the odd chiff chaff moving through the hedges and bushes, while robins, song thrush, black bird, collard dove and dunnock feed around the picnic area. A sparrow hawk swooped through and landed in a willow and green sandpipers have flown over. The elders at the end of the first boardwalk are also a popular spot at the moment with up to 20 warblers in there this morning making the most of the abundant berry crop this year to help build up their fat reserves.

There has been some mention that the Draper hide was closed on Tuesday and Thursday this week. As you will have noticed on your visits we have been wood treating all the hides this summer and this week it was the turn of the Draper hide. With lots of people booked in for the work parties this week we got everyone rubbing down, then applying the wood treatment and so were able to get the job done super quick. So the hide was closed for the 2 days we carried out this job to ensure no visitors went away covered in green wood treatment but also because we were obstructing the view in front of the hide. The job is all finished now except for a second coat needed on the handrail up to the hide and we are sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Having a pan round on the CCTV cameras this afternoon while i was on reception i counted 39 snipe on lagoon1. Wow! And that was just with the camera so i would think there are more out there. Worth a count if you are visiting.

Some visitors have just left and they have seen 46 snipe, a large flock of 100 plus house martins, white throat, black cap, little egret, wigeon, ruddy shelduck x2 and green sandpiper.

Have a lovely weekend

PS don’t forget it is or Table Top Sale this weekend, so pop over and have a look or bring over any items you would like to donate (sorry we can not take electrical items).

Vicky